Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile and the HMX Xinhai stand out as excellent options to explore. The WS Heavy Tactile is praised for its profound tactile experience, featuring a 70g bump, immersive resistance, and captivating "thocky" sound from nylon housings, resulting in engaging and satisfying typing sessions. On the other hand, the Xinhai boasts a unique PA12 top housing for a softer acoustics profile and a POM stem that delivers a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance, offering a blend of subtle sophistication and precise performance. While the WS Heavy Tactile is praised for its sharp and snappy feel, the Xinhai is known for its creamy and bouncy response. Ultimately, the decision between these switches depends on personal preferences and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile and the HMX Xinhai, it is evident that both switches utilize nylon in their bottom housing. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, the typing experience on both switches is likely to produce a duller and rounder sound, creating a tactile and satisfying typing experience for users.
However, when it comes to the top housing material, the WS Heavy Tactile features a nylon top housing, while the Xinhai utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. This distinction leads to a difference in sound profiles between the two switches. The WS Heavy Tactile's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Xinhai's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate material's stiffness results in a clearer and more resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting due to the material's translucency.
While the housing materials of the two switches vary in their top housing composition, both the WS Heavy Tactile and the Xinhai utilize nylon in their bottom housing. This shared characteristic ensures that users of both switches will experience a similar typing sensation characterized by a deeper and fuller sound profile. The differences in sound profiles between the switches can be attributed to the contrasting top housing materials, with the WS Heavy Tactile's nylon top housing creating a duller sound compared to the Xinhai's polycarbonate top housing, which produces a crisper and more resonant sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preferences for the type of sound profile desired in their typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it is evident that the WS Heavy Tactile is the heavier option while the Xinhai is lighter. The actuation force of the WS Heavy Tactile is 45 grams, which is heavier than the Xinhai's 37 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the WS Heavy Tactile is 70 grams, compared to the Xinhai's 45 grams. This makes the WS Heavy Tactile more suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Xinhai's lighter actuation and bottom out forces make it a better option for those who prefer a lighter touch, enabling them to type for longer periods without fatigue. In both cases, selecting a switch with the appropriate force will ultimately lead to a satisfying typing experience tailored to individual preferences.
Travel distance
The Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Xinhai has a slightly longer travel distance than the WS Heavy Tactile. The shorter travel distance of the WS Heavy Tactile may appeal to gamers looking for a faster response time, while the longer travel distance of the Xinhai may provide a more gradual and satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience you are looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Xinhai has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai for $3.19.
The Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile comes in at $3.50 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the WS Heavy Tactile switch offers a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant experience with a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp and bright, creating an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Xinhai switch also provides a clacky sound profile that is sharp and percussive. While both switches share some similarities in sound qualities, the WS Heavy Tactile switch may offer a slightly deeper and more immersive sound due to its nylon housing.
Moving on to feel, the WS Heavy Tactile switch is known for its accented, bouncy, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, providing a firm actuation force and a responsive typing experience. Conversely, the Xinhai switch offers a bouncy and creamy feel, providing a spring-like feedback sensation and a smooth and buttery typing experience. While both switches offer a tactile feedback, the WS Heavy Tactile switch may be more pronounced and sharp compared to the Xinhai switch's softer and smoother feel.
Overall, the WS Heavy Tactile switch excels in providing a profound tactile experience with a 70g bump, captivating sound, and a variety of tactile qualities that make typing engaging and satisfying. On the other hand, the Xinhai switch offers a unique sound profile with a softer acoustics profile and a distinctive crisp resonance, combined with a bouncy and creamy tactile feel. Depending on personal preferences, users can choose between the sharp and immersive experience of the WS Heavy Tactile switch or the softer and smoother feel of the Xinhai switch for their typing needs.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch and the HMX Xinhai switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a more immersive and engaging typing sensation with a pronounced tactile bump and "thocky" sound, the WS Heavy Tactile with its medium-heavy 70g bump may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a softer acoustics profile and a lighter 45g linear switch for a more subtle and precise typing experience, the Xinhai switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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